Poll

Today's News

ILLINOIS
The 2011 Illinois corn crop is expected to yield 170 bushels per acre, up 13 bushels from last year’s yield. Production of corn for grain would be 2.09 billion bushels, up 7 percent from 2010. Generally wet conditions led to a slower planting season than is typical, but warmer-than-average temperatures have allowed the crop progress to keep pace with the five-year average.

Slightly cooler weather and scattered showers across much of the state made for a favorable growing week, and was a welcomed change from the hot and dry conditions experienced throughout the summer thus far. Statewide, temperatures averaged 72.5 degrees last week, 1.2 degrees below normal.
The northern portion of the state experienced slightly above-normal precipitation; however, statewide precipitation was nearly 0.2 inches below average, ending the week at 0.65 inches.

The defense attorneys for Clifford Baker, the Loogootee teen accused of murdering a neighbor couple, wrapped up their case mid-afternoon on Friday, and the case is scheduled to go to the jury sometime on Tuesday.

Baker's attorney's presented only three witnesses, Clifford Baker's uncle and two expert witnesses, a forensic pharmacologist, and a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

As the defense wrapped up its case, the schedule was set for the remainder of the trial by Judge Michael McHaney.

1996 – Roger Gottman, 27, of St. Elmo, died from injuries sustained when he was hit by a train as he was crossing railroad tracks in St. Elmo.
The Vandalia Community High School football team opened its season with a 38-6 win over Carlyle.
David and Eileen Brown of Vandalia were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

A safety-net program that for years had provided early intervention for at-risk students but was dropped last year when state funding dried up, has now been reinstated.
At least for a year.
A state grant that will fund the Pre-K program has allowed the Vandalia school district to bring back the program, albeit in a reduced format. About 40 area students will benefit from the program that is designed to get them up to speed and ready to start school with their peers.
The grant also funds smaller Pre-K programs in Brownstown, Ramsey and St. Elmo.

The Brownstown High School class of 2001 will hold its 10-year reunion at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3, in the meeting room at Ponderosa Steakhouse in Vandalia.
Each person will be responsible for paying for his or her meal. Spouses and other guests are invited.
For more information, contact Kassie Washburn Austin at 1-217-240-6007.

Copies of the 2011 Vandalia Community High School yearbook will be handed out the week of Aug. 29. Copies of the Vandalois may be picked up between 11 a.m. and noon in the cafeteria, or before or after school in the VCHS office.
For more information, contact Amy Vieregge at 283-5155 or e-mail her at avieregge@vandals.k12.us.